Mission: At Bay, we balance challenging academics and innovative thinking with a mindful approach to learning and life. Our goal is to see students unlock their individual and collective potential so they begin to realize their roles in a dynamic world.
Located in the Presidio of San Francisco, The Bay School is an independent, college preparatory high school committed to providing its students with a challenging, innovative curriculum and a collaborative, supportive community. 325 students are enrolled in grades nine through 12 and guided by a distinguished faculty of more than 40 teachers.
Bay utilizes the most current research, information and technology for teaching and learning. Our day starts with school-wide morning meeting, which includes a student or faculty presentation, short silent sit, and announcements. Students take 4 classes per trimester, each meeting for 80 minutes, as depth of subjects and material is valued over breadth. The culminating experience for all Bay graduates is the Senior Signature Project, a two-trimester course in which seniors investigate a question in depth, working with an outside mentor and our Senior Signature Project directors, and concluding with a deliverable and formal presentation to the school community. Our academic philosophy reflects a commitment to thoughtful inquiry, impassioned creativity, and deliberate skill practice.
A large athletic and physical activities program is offered, with 20 Varsity sports teams that have yielded a number of championships in our short history. Visual, digital, musical and performing arts are offered as part of our academic curriculum, in addition to three full-scale drama productions, dance, and advanced jazz offerings after school.
Our college counseling process begins in 11th grade under the careful guidance of 3 full-time counselors, with SAT prep classes built into the curriculum. 323 colleges and universities, including Yale, Princeton, MIT, Stanford, Brown, and all of the UC campuses, admitted students from Bay.
*We offer a variety of advanced level courses, many of which have been approved as Honors level by the University of California system. Although we do not offer AP courses, each year a number of students successfully prepare for and take AP exams in a variety of subject areas.